WASHINGTON— Amtrak announced today it has awarded a $104.7 million contract to Cianbro/Middlesex VII of Littleton, Mass., for the replacement of the 102-year old movable bridge over the Niantic River in East Lyme, Conn.
The three year project is set to begin in April, 2010. It is being funded by $47.1 million from Amtrak’s annual capital program and $57.6 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. It is anticipated that this project will result in good paying jobs locally and in the region.
The project involves construction of a new two-track bridge south of its present alignment. Additional work includes expanding the navigation channel beneath the bridge used by water traffic, realigning the east and west track approaches to the bridge, and relocating the Niantic Bay Overlook, including beach restoration.
The existing bridge will remain in operation until the new bridge is built and the river will remain open to water traffic throughout construction.
